Morris, Minooka police team up with Dunkin’ Donuts to raise money

MORRIS – Morris and Minooka police departments will take to the rooftops of local Dunkin’ Donuts this Friday as part of a Special Olympics fundraiser.

“We will be on the rooftop hollering down and asking for donations to benefit Special Olympics,” Minooka Police Chief Justin Meyer said.

The fundraising event – happening at Dunkin’ Donuts throughout the state – is meant to raise money and awareness for the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics of Illinois.

The run takes place every June with more than 3,000 officers covering 1,500 miles to carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns to the State Summer Games in Normal.

“Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is sort of the chosen charity for Morris Police Department. It’s the one we give a lot of our time to,” Morris Police Chief Brent Dite said.

Friday, the officers will be handing out free doughnut coupons to customers who donate, and Dunkin’ Donuts will be offering a glazed red, white and blue doughnut in honor of the Special Olympics.

Those who make a donation of $10 or more will receive a travel mug.

Since the rooftop fundraiser began 11 years ago, police departments have raised more than $1.6 million for Special Olympics.

This will be the sixth year that Minooka police has participated in the fundraiser. Each year, the department has raised close to $2,000, Meyer said.

“It’s a fun event and it gives us a chance to speak with the community,” Meyer said. “They see the officers out there having fun and not doing traffic stops or whatnot, so they get to see us in a different environment.”

The Morris Police Department raised close to $2,000 last year for Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics set a goal to raise $310,000 statewide during Friday’s fundraiser to top last year’s donation total.

“We try to make it bigger and better every year,” Dite said. “Morris is a very generous community.”

Despite the theme of “Cops on the Rooftop,” officers will be stationed on the ground to collect donations from customers entering the store or going through the drive-thru.

“It’s kind of a fun time,” Dite said. “We get to jump up on the roof so hopefully the weather isn’t too bad. We’re out there when it’s rainy and cold, and we’re been out there if it’s sunny.”